What is the Output of a Medical Nebulizer Compressor?

Compressed air is essential in the medical field. From providing the air that helps operate tools used in dentistry and surgical practices to helping patients breathe, its use cases are incredibly high-touch and should be assessed with the utmost acuity.  Having a well-serviced, medical-grade vacuum package is critical in ensuring patients are kept safe during all medical procedures. 

While there are various use-cases for medical vacuum packages, we’ll be focusing on medical nebulizer compressors and applications where they are used for breathing treatments and therapy.

What is a medical nebulizer compressor?

If you have asthma, you may be familiar with these types of compressors. A nebulizer turns liquid medicine into a mist to aid in the treatment of breathing fatigue. There are a variety of types, from portable to tabletop nebulizer compressors that can either be battery or electric operated. 

Although they’re used for different situations, they both have a compartment that holds an air compressor, a smaller container for medication, and a tube that connects both chambers. The compressors turn medication into a mist that can reach a patient’s lungs and effectively provide relief from congestion and other breathing ailments.

How does it work? What is the output?

As pressurized air passes through the various tubes on the medical nebulizer compressor, it quickly turns the medicine into smaller mist particles that can aid during an asthma attack or a respiratory infection. This mist can often be easier to inhale when airways become narrow, for this reason, compressed air nebulizers can deliver short-term and long-term relief for patients. 

These types of compressors can also make it possible to receive multiple breathing treatments in one session due to the ability to combine multiple medications at once. Generally, they require between 30-45 PSI per 8ML of medication, making them ideal for multiple uses. Treatments generally last anywhere from 5-10 minutes, but timing can vary depending on medication size, power type and particle size. Some are made for more intermittent use while others are made for continuous use.

Understanding the output of your medical nebulizer compressor is important and can easily be a driving factor in your decision to purchase or service your compressed air system. 

When are these Medical Vacuum Packages used?

Generally, doctors prescribe these treatments to those who have lung therapy needs such as bronchitis, COPD, asthma, and other diseases that affect the respiratory system. The type of compressor used is determined by use case, if a patient needs to have lung therapy away from home, they’ll need a portable unit. If they’re being treated in a hospital setting, doctors will generally recommend using a larger unit that can shorten the amount of treatment time.

Keep in mind that insufficient pressure can cause a compressor to fail to deliver the required levels of oxygen that a patient needs, but too much compressed air can lead to injury. It’s important to ensure these devices are continuously serviced.

Do I have the right Medical Vacuum Package?

Compliance is integral, so focus on the following method for calculating sizing for standard medical air in the US. 

• Step 1: Count all outlets that will be served by your system by occupancy
• Step 2: Multiply by simultaneous use factor.
• Step 3: Add the sum of all your occupancy
• Step 4: Add the total number of ventilators
• Step 5: You’ll have a sizing calculation that will take into account the “worst case scenario” where all rooms are using some amount of your total medical vacuum package.

Looking to invest in medical vacuum packages that are NFPA 99 Compliant?

JHFOSTER distributes and services an extensive line of medical-grade vacuum packages reliably used in hospitals and clinics across the country. Our certified technicians can help determine the output of your medical nebulizer compressor and assess your day-to-day needs.

Choose from a variety of medical and vacuum package brands including Dekker, Gardner Denver, Kobelco, Powerex, Elmo Rietschle and more. Our team of ASSE 6040 certified maintenance technicians can address any maintenance requirements for all major brands of air compressors.

 JHFOSTER can help assess the output of your medical nebulizer compressor to ensure you’ve got the power needed to reliably care for all patients. From offering medical-grade solutions to ensuring our experts offer options suited to your clinic’s needs, we’re ready to help you tackle the job. Get started by speaking to an expert today.